Klipsch Flexus Core 100 + Sub 100
Specifications and features
Overview
The Flexus Core 100 + Sub 100 pack combines the most compact 2.1-channel soundbar in the Flexus range with a 25 cm wireless subwoofer. This combination, the result of a collaboration between Klipsch and Onkyo, delivers an upgradable home theater solution with virtual Dolby Atmos processing and Klipsch’s proprietary Klipsch Transport wireless technology. Designed for small spaces and limited budgets, this pack lays the foundations of a system that can be expanded with surround speakers and a second subwoofer as needed.
Four drivers in 71 centimeters
The Core 100 incorporates four drivers in its compact chassis. Two 57 mm aluminum-cone drivers handle the mids and highs, positioned in a stereo configuration. Aluminum offers rigidity and lightness, key characteristics for fast response and reduced distortion.
Two 101 mm paper-cone drivers handle the low frequencies. Their placement in a sealed enclosure optimizes control of cone excursion. These drivers allow the soundbar to go down to 45 Hz without an external subwoofer, a notable performance for a device of this size. Total amplification delivers 100 watts RMS, allowing a maximum sound level of 96.4 dB.
Unlike the Core 200 and Core 300 models, the design does not use dedicated height speakers. Here, Dolby Atmos processing operates in virtual mode: algorithms analyze the metadata of audio tracks and create a three-dimensional soundstage through psychoacoustic processing. This method uses room reflections and auditory perception characteristics to simulate sound sources above the listener.
Klipsch Transport wireless connection
The Flexus system introduces Klipsch Transport technology, a proprietary wireless transmission protocol operating on the 2.4 GHz band. Each Sub 100 subwoofer and pair of Surr 100 speakers is supplied with a pre-paired USB transmitter key. You simply plug this key into the USB port on the back of the soundbar to establish the connection.
This approach differs from standard Bluetooth or Wi‑Fi systems. The 2.4 GHz transmission reduces latency – a critical point for home theater, where any mismatch between picture and sound is immediately noticeable. Factory pre-pairing eliminates manual synchronization steps. The range covers a radius of 15 meters under typical home conditions.
The Core 100 can accept up to two Sub 100 subwoofers simultaneously (three keys are supplied with extended configurations, the third serving as a spare). A pair of Surr 100 speakers can also connect via its own key. For those who already have a subwoofer, a mono RCA output allows wired connection of an active subwoofer from any brand.
Connectivity and audio formats
The main connection is the HDMI 2.1 port with eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) support. This protocol sends high-resolution audio signals from the TV to the bar, including Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Digital. TVs equipped only with standard ARC (Audio Return Channel) limit the formats that can be transmitted – typically up to Dolby Digital Plus, depending on the TV model.
An optical input provides an alternative for older TVs. Bluetooth 5.3 enables music streaming from smartphones, tablets, or computers, with support for A2DP and AAC codecs. A USB‑C port rounds out the input options. A 1.5-meter HDMI cable and a 2-meter IEC power cord are included.
The CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) protocol simplifies everyday use: the TV remote controls the soundbar volume, and the system powers on automatically when the TV is switched on. Wall mounts with a complete installation kit allow vertical mounting if necessary.
Klipsch Connect Plus app
The iOS and Android mobile app provides access to settings that are not available from the remote control. The customizable equalizer adjusts four frequency bands. The preset sound modes Movie, Music, Surround, and Night tailor the sound signature to the content being played. Dialogue Boost mode offers three intensity levels (low, medium, high) to improve voice intelligibility without upsetting the overall balance of the mix.
Night mode compresses dynamic range to reduce the difference between quiet passages and action scenes. Left-right balance allows you to compensate for an off-center listening position. The app also delivers firmware updates and new features.
Once the Sub 100 is connected, subwoofer settings – bass level, phase – are adjusted from the app. Up to two subwoofers can be controlled independently. The interface shows the transmitter’s battery level and the status of the wireless connection.
Upgrading to a 5.1.2 system
The Core 100 + Sub 100 pack forms a 2.1 base that users can expand over time. Adding the Flexus Surr 100 (sold in pairs) turns the setup into a 4.1 configuration, with side and rear ambient effects. These satellite speakers are 17 cm tall and each includes a 7.6 cm full-range driver. They simply plug into a wall outlet – no cable linking the two units and no wired connection to the soundbar.
A second Sub 100 can further reinforce the low end, particularly in large rooms or to help smooth out room modes. Each Sub 100 can be positioned independently thanks to its wireless connection. The wall mounts for the Surr 100 allow various mounting angles.
This modular approach contrasts with fixed, all-in-one packages. Someone can start with the bar alone, add the subwoofer a few months later depending on budget, then complete the setup with surrounds. The Flexus range also includes the Core 200 (3.1.2 with real height speakers) and the Core 300 (5.1.2 with Dirac Live room correction), all compatible with the same wireless accessories.
Technical specifications
Klipsch Flexus Core 100 soundbar
Audio configuration
- 2.1 system with virtual Dolby Atmos height effect
- Speakers
- 2 speakers with 57 mm aluminum cones
- 2 elevation speakers with 101 mm paper-cone woofers
Audio performance
- Maximum sound level: 96.4 dB
- Power: 100 W RMS
- Frequency response: 45 Hz – 20 kHz
Connectivity
- Inputs: HDMI eARC, Bluetooth, USB-C, optical
- Outputs: RCA for additional subwoofer
Physical characteristics
- Dimensions (H × W × D): 76 × 711 × 127 mm
- Finish: ebony vinyl
- Weight: 4.54 kg
Included accessories
- Backlit Bluetooth remote control
- 2.0 m IEC power cable (depending on region)
- 1.5 m HDMI cable
- 2 AAA batteries
- Wall mounting brackets with full installation kit
- User manual
Klipsch Flexus Sub 100 subwoofer
Components
- 25.4 cm long-throw paper-cone driver
- Amplification: Class D
Performance
- Power: 80 W RMS, 160 W peak
- Frequency response: 26 Hz – 250 Hz ± 3 dB
- Maximum sound pressure level: 103.7 dB
Construction
- Material: medium-density fibreboard (MDF)
- Type: sealed enclosure
Connectivity
- Inputs
- RCA line / LFE
- Flexus Transport 2.4 GHz wireless
Dimensions and weight
- Height: 340 mm
- Width: 335 mm
- Depth: 349 mm
- Weight: 9.4 kg
Finish and accessories
- Finish: ebony vinyl
- Supplied accessories
- 2 × 2.0 m right-angle mains power cords (depending on region)
- 1 wireless dongle with Klipsch Transport technology
- 1 user manual
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dolby Atmos virtualization really work without physical height speakers?
Virtual Dolby Atmos processing relies on algorithms that create a sense of height using psychoacoustics and reflections. The effect depends on the room’s acoustics and the listening position. Overly absorbent walls and ceilings (thick carpeting, heavy curtains) reduce its effectiveness. Those seeking faithful reproduction of Atmos soundtracks will prefer the Core 200, with its two upward-firing drivers.
Can I use a subwoofer from another brand with the Core 100?
Yes, the mono RCA output on the back of the soundbar accepts any powered subwoofer. This wired connection operates alongside the wireless system – you can therefore combine a Sub 100 via Klipsch Transport and a second subwoofer from another brand via RCA. Both low-frequency sources are summed.
How far can the bar be from the wireless subwoofer?
Klipsch specifies a range of 15 meters under typical home conditions. Obstacles (thick load-bearing walls, large metal surfaces) reduce this distance. The 2.4 GHz technology passes through obstacles better than higher frequencies, but it shares the band with Wi‑Fi networks and some cordless phones. The system automatically selects a clear channel during pairing.
Is the mobile app essential for everyday use?
No. The supplied Bluetooth remote controls volume, inputs, basic sound modes, and Dialogue Boost. The TV remote (via CEC) also controls the volume. The app becomes useful for custom EQ, fine-tuning bass levels, and firmware updates. After initial setup, many users rarely open it again.
How many devices can be connected to the bar via Bluetooth at the same time?
The Core 100 remembers up to eight paired devices but connects to only one at a time. To switch sources, you must disconnect the active device or use the switching function in the app. Bluetooth is mainly intended for music streaming; video content should use HDMI to avoid lip-sync issues.
Is the Sub 100 powerful enough for a 30 m² living room?
The 25 cm driver in a sealed enclosure generates a maximum level of 103.7 dB, which is sufficient for a room of this size for normal home use. Very open-plan living rooms (open kitchen, mezzanine) will benefit from a second Sub 100 to maintain sound pressure. The 26 Hz (-3 dB) low-frequency extension reaches the fundamentals of cinema special effects, although larger subwoofers (30 cm and above) dig further into the infrasonic range.
Do Flexus products work with voice assistants?
No, the Flexus range does not include microphones or native compatibility with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri. Voice control remains possible via the TV if it offers this function – the bar then receives audio from the TV over HDMI eARC like any other source.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
